Our Ground, Our Voices

Our Ground, Our Voices builds from the lived experiences of young women of color and focuses on how race, gender, and their intersection impact the structural barriers they face. Addressing these challenges requires large-scale investment and bold policy proposals to achieve meaningful change.

May 21, 2019 | Testimony/Comments | Kisha Bird

Kisha Bird Testifies Before the U. S. House of Representatives

Apr 11, 2019 | Report/Brief | Nia West-Bey

Behind the Asterisk*

Young Men and Women of Color

EVENT: A Conversation on Youth Economic Mobility, Equity, and Justice

Young people need education, leadership opportunities, and career and life guidance to successfully transition to adulthood. Yet 5 million youth ages 18 to 24 are unattached to school and work. These youth, who are disproportionately youth of color, experience lifelong consequences, including negative health outcomes and reduced earnings potential. That’s why CLASP advocates for federal, state, and local policies that prevent youth from dropping out and reconnect them to education and work. When we invest in young people, we break the cycle of poverty, spark our economy, and strengthen our nation’s future.

Featured Expert:

Nia West-Bey

Senior Policy Analyst, Youth

Opportunity Youth

New from CLASP

July 24, 2019 | Blog Post | Adult and Postsecondary Education

Fulfilling the Promise: A Postsecondary Education for Low-income Students and Workers

May 15, 2019 | News Clip | Opportunity Youth

A New Bill Could Help Low-Income Students Gain Internet Access

April 17, 2019 | News Clip | Youth and Young Adults

Behind the Asterisk*: Perspectives on Young Adult Mental Health from “Small and Hard-to-Reach” Communities

April 17, 2019 | News Clip | Opportunity Youth

Rep. Lucy McBath, Other Leaders Talk About Working With Opportunity Youth of Color

April 13, 2019 | News Clip | Youth and Young Adults

The Local Take: Stop The Public School To Prison Pipeline With CLASP

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) governs federal workforce training programs. Under WIOA, states are required to spend 75 percent of funds on out-of-school youth. That's a significant increase over the previous law. States should seize the moment to develop innovative programs that help young people succeed economically.

WIOA Game Plan for Low-Income People